Abrupt reoxygenation of the anoxic potassium–arrested perfused rat heart: a study of myocardial enzyme release
D.J. Hearse, S.M. Humphrey, E.B. Chain

In the early 1970s, the attention of cardiologists was firmly focused on the deleterious effects of ischemia and oxygen deprivation...

The “wavefront phenomenon” of myocardial ischemic cell death. II. Transmural progression of necrosis within the framework of ischemic bed size (myocardium at risk) and collateral flow
K.A. Reimer, R.B. Jennings

By 1979, the idea that it might be possible to salvage the acutely ischemic myocardium by pharmacological intervention had received much attention...

The effect of ibuprofen on accumulation of indium–111–labeled platelets and leukocytes in experimental myocardial infarction
J.L. Romson, B.G. Hook, V.H. Rigot, M.A. Schork, D.P. Swanson, B.R. Lucchesi

In the late 70s and early 80s the quest for the magic “anti-infarct” drug was in full swing...

Oxygen–mediated myocardial damage during ischaemia and reperfusion: role of the cellular defences against oxygen toxicity
R. Ferrari, C. Ceconi, S. Curello, C. Guarnieri, C.M. Caldarera, A. Albertini, O. Visioli

By 1985, it had been repeatedly demonstrated that the readmission of oxygen, rather than the readmission of flow, might contribute to reperfusion injury...

Granulocytes as active participants in acute myocardial ischemia and infarction
G.W. Schmid-Schonbein, R.L. Engler

While it may seem unusual to choose a review article as a seminal paper in this field, this one is really a must for anyone wishing an introduction to reperfusion injury....

Measurement of superoxide–derived free radicals in the reperfused heart. Evidence for a free radical mechanism of reperfusion injury
J.L. Zweier

By 1987, many pharmacological studies had implicated free radicals in the genesis of reperfusion injury...

Marked reduction of free radical generation and contractile dysfunction by antioxidant therapy begun at the time of reperfusion. Evidence that myocardial “stunning” is a manifestation of reperfusion injury
R. Bolli, M.O. Jeroudi, B.S. Patel, O.I. Aruoma, B. Halliwell, E.K. Lai, P.B. McCay

While recognizing the wealth of evidence suggesting that free radicals may play a role in ischemia/reperfusion injury, Bolli et al identified four remaining key questions...

The phlogistic role of C3 leukotactic fragments in myocardial infarcts of rats
J.H. Hill, P.A. Ward

Phlogiston (n.) the mythical element originally proposed to be contained in all combustible materials and metals in the phlogistic theory of combustion (a theory largely disproved by Lavoisier shortly before losing his head in the French revolution)...

Sustained limitation of myocardial reperfusion injury by a monoclonal antibody that alters leukocyte function
P.J. Simpson, R.F. Todd 3d, J.K. Mickelson, J.C. Fantone, K.P. Gallagher, K.A. Lee, Y. Tamura, M. Cronin, B.R. Lucchesi

This study, published in 1990, came at a time when there was abundant evidence that neutrophil infiltration and activation in the reperfused myocardium can exacerbate ischemia/reperfusion injury...

Early accumulation of the terminal complement–complex in the ischaemic myocardium after reperfusion
D. Mathey, J. Schofer. H.J. Schafer, T. Hamdoch, H.C. Joachim, A. Ritgen, F. Hugo, S. Bhakdi

In this study, Mathey and coworkers used two independent methods to assess the deposition of complement C5b-9 in the ischemic myocardium...